Heat & Cooling Center Information

Excessive heat can cause health concerns for some individuals. If you, or someone you know is in need of a cool respite, you may visit one of the following centers during their business hours. During prolonged extreme heat events, hours may be extended at the Brea Community Center or Senior Center to accommodate the emergency.

Other indoor recreational venues such as local movie theaters, restaurants and shopping malls can also be visited to escape the heat. Download more tips and info. Attractive options for cooling off are the Brea Mall and the many stores around town. There are also 22 movie theaters downtown ready to provide an afternoon entertainment escape.

All consumers are urged to reduce their energy use. A number of situations could cause the available power to be reduced, or demand could exceed capability, either of which could result in rolling outages. Take a few moments and identify your area, which is listed on the upper right hand corner of your bill, so you will be able to identify if and when your home may be impacted. Also, be aware that you must also try to reduce water consumption during energy shortages. It takes a great deal of power to move water to end users. Help reduce overall system demand by controlling water use.

Below are some energy conservation tips from Southern California Edison.

Conservation Tips

Turn off all unused appliances and equipment.

Keep lights off in unused areas and shut off lights when leaving a room.

Close drapes and blinds to keep out direct sunlight during hot periods.

Avoid using evaporative coolers or humidifiers at the same time an air conditioner is running.

Only operate swimming pool equipment and energy-intensive appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines and dryers, during early morning or evening hours.

Limit the opening and reopening of refrigerators, which are major users of electricity in most homes.

When possible, businesses should shift power-intensive work processes to morning or evening hours.

Stay Cool

SCE recommends customers try to stay as cool as possible during the heat.

Keep outdoor activities to a minimum, and drink a lot of water during the hottest parts of the day.

Open the refrigerator and freezer only when absolutely necessary.

Low-income and medically sensitive customers can take advantage of cooling centers, which are operated by local governments and community-based organizations.

In Case of Power Outage

SCE recommends customers follow these safety tips if a power outage occurs:

Use flashlights for lighting; do not use candles because they pose a significant fire hazard.

During a power outage, turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.

Never attempt to move or go near a downed power line. Call 911 to report the situation.

Watch for traffic signals that may be out. Approach those intersections as four-way stops.

If someone in your home is dependent on electric-powered, life sustaining medical equipment, have an emergency plan that includes a back-up power source, or make arrangements to relocate.